Wayville church Ukrainian war memorial vandalised ahead of anniversary
Police are investigating after an Adelaide church’s Ukranian war memorial was covered in red paint, with officials disgusted.
A Ukrainian war memorial in Adelaide’s inner-south has been vandalised by paint and graffiti referencing Nazis.
Deep red paint has been sprayed over the monument and the words “no nazi monument” written on pavers next to it.
Located next to the Ukrainian Catholic Church Our Lady of Protection in Wayville, the monument was erected in memory soldiers who died for Ukraine’s liberation and is used by the church to commemorate the fallen.
Police are currently investigating the vandalism, which they said occurred between 5pm on February 2 and 5pm on February 4.
Church committee member Bohdan Lesiw said it was disappointing to see the monument vandalised.
He believes the messaging around Nazis could be a reference to Putin’s baseless claims of needing to ‘denazify’ Ukraine as means of justifying the bloody war in the eastern European nation.
“We have nothing to do with Nazis,” Mr Lesiw said. “We’re upset, we’re very disappointed that people are following Putin’s line.
“We do what we can in South Australia, and in Australia, to help Ukraine and when we see things like this, that people are just parroting stuff that’s been used against us, we’re saddened and disappointed.
“We hope that the Australian people are above that sort of thing.”
It comes as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year later this month.
Mr Lesiw said the community heard stories of people dying every day.
“We’ve had at least five deaths in our community of people who have come from Ukraine to be here safe,” he said.
The graffiti was discovered last week and has since been cleaned up by friend Patrick Ryan, who is the director of painting company Ecotec Painting & Maintenance, which has been affiliated with the church as well as the Ukrainian Association.
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Mr Ryan said he carried out to the job for free “just to make it right”.
“It’s deeply disappointing to me when so many Ukrainian lives have been lost in a war that really should never have happened and still going on,” he said.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the vandalism or anyone who has information that may assist with the investigation to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperssa.com.au.
Originally published as Wayville church Ukrainian war memorial vandalised ahead of anniversary
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